Punch and print data card recorder

ABSTRACT

The disclosed data recorder includes a control cam operating to impart oscillating motions to separate punch and print actuators. The punch actuator reciprocates a punch bail to depress individual punches selected by data entry solenoids through punch interposers, thereby to perforate a data card. A step cam oscillated by the print actuator operates against print interposers coupled to the solenoids to angularly orient a print wheel, thus to imprint on the data card the data characters punched into the card. The data card is carried by a tray which is indexed through successive data entry positions in coordination with the control cam by tray stepping control apparatus. A replaceable ink cartridge supplies ink to the print wheel.

0 1Jn1ted States Patent 1 1 [111 ayaoma Leonard et al. 53 May I, 1973 54] PUNCH AND PRINT DATA CARD 3,361,242 1/1968 Spaleny ..197 1.5

RECORDER [76] Inventors: George Hamlin Leonard; Raymond Examfnerj' Master J. Enyeart, both of 0/0 Varifab, Inc., Att0mey Blalr Onge & Mayers 1700 E. Putnam Avenue, Greenwich Conn [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Sept 13, 1971 The disclosed data recorder includes a control cam operating to impart oscillating motions to separate [21] Appl- N04 180,032 punch and print actuators. The punch actuator R l t d us. A f D reciprocates a punch bail to depress individual eae pplcamn am punches selected by data entry solenoids through Divislof! 0f 33300, y I, 1970, punch interposers, thereby to perforate a data card A 3,682,093 step cam oscillated by the print actuator operates against print interposers coupled to the solenoids to [52] Cl ..234/130, 271/54 angulafly Orient a prim wheel, thus to imprint on the [51] Int..Cl. ..G06k 1/20, 096k l/O8 data card the data characters punched into the card Fleld of Search The data card i Carried a y is indexed 271/55 197/15 through successive data entry positions in coordination with the control cam by tray stepping control ap- [56] References cued paratus. A replaceable ink cartridge supplies ink to UNITED STATES PATENTS the P Wheel- 1,885,874 11/1932 Thomas et al. ..271/54 10 Claims,v40 Drawing Figures PATENTEDW 1 1975 sum 01 0F PATENTEUHAY um SHEET UEUF 18 ON eww 6% ON M: 9mm, m A QMN mMN .& R

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PUNCH AND PRINT DATA CARD RECORDER This is a division, of application Ser. No. 33,800, filed May 1, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,682,093, granted Aug.8, 1972.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Data recorders of the type to which the present in well as the size and weight, of such data reeoders have typically resulted in the sacrifice in many desirable operating features which otherwise contribute to recorder flexibility, versatility and speed.

While the principle recording function of data recorders of the class presently concerned is to encode data cards by effecting discrete punched holes or perforations therein, it is extremely desirable to have the capability of also imprinting on the card the same data characters which are punched therein. This renders the card humanly readable as well as machine readable. In addition, it also serves as a convenient check on operator accuracy as well as a diagnostic aid to track down recorder malfunctions. l-leretofore, recorders having both punching and printing capabilities have not been particularly reliable and are rather difficult to service due to their complex design. Moreover, the inclusion of both provisions in a single data recorder has unduly 'added to the recorders size and weight. Thus, such dual capability recorders have not been particularly portable, and cannot be readily taken into the field where, in many instances, the data to be recorded originates.

Regardless of the data recorder design, the product it produces, i.e., the punched data card, must be accurately encoded since the data character perforations therein will be read at high speeds by a data card reader. The card perforations, must therefore, be properly formed and rather precisely positioned if they are to be correctly interpreted by the card reader. Thus, it is imperative that the data card to be accurately positioned in the recorder and precisely indexed therethrough so that the data character perforations are entered in proper storage locations or columns on the card. Even a small positional error, if cumulative, will result in interperative errors for data perforations toward the trailing end of the card.

It is accordingly a primary object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive punch card data recorder which is essentially portable, both in terms of size and weight. g

A further object is to provide a data recorder of the above character which is simple in design, capable of high operating speeds, and includes a number of operating features which contribute to operational efficiency.

Still another object is to provide a data recorder of the above character which is capable of reliable and accurate operation, as well as long operating life and yet is of such simplified design as to be readily servicable in the field.

Yet another object is to provide a punch card data recorder of the above character which is adapted with a printer attachment for imparting interpretive printing to the punched card.

Other objects of the invention in will part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided as essentially portable data recorder uniquely adapted to substantially simoultaneously punch successive data characters in a data card and to visibly imprint the same data characters on the card. The data card prepared by the subject data recorder is thus readily humanly readable as well as machine readable.

The subject data recorder includes a dual purpose control cam which is rotated through a complete revolution for each data entry cycle. This control cam is uniquely adapted to coordinate the punching and printing functions of the data recorder in an extremely simple and efficient manner. More specifically, the control cam operates to oscillate separate punch and print actuators; these actuators being moved from normal at rest positions to second positions and back to their normal positions at the conclusion of each data entry cycle of the recorder.

The punch actuator is connected to reciprocate a punch bail as the former moves from its normal position to its second position and back. Selection solenoids individually energized from the recorder data entry keyboard are individually coupled to different data card punches by separate punch interposers. When a particular solenoid is energized, its plunger shifts the associated punch interposer to an actuated position where it is engaged by the punch bail as it is forced downwardly by the punch actuator. The actuated punch interposer in turn transmits the downward movement of the punch bail to the associated punch such that it is depressed to perforate a data card therebelow.

As the punch actuator begins its return movement from its second position to its normal position, it raises the punch bail which, in turn, lifts the selected punch out of perforating engagement with the data card. The actuated punch interposer is then released by the punch bail and it is returned to its normal position along with the actuated solenoid plunger by a spring.

While the punching function is being carried out, a print control cam is oscillated by the print actuator as it is moved from its normal position to its second position and back by the control cam. Print interposers coupled to the selection solenoid plungers are individually moved from normal to actuated positions with energization of their associated solenoids. The print cam engages the actuated print interposer to inhibit further movement of the print cam from a normal position toward a second limit position. The increment of movement of the print cam from its normal position to the point where it engages an actuated print interposer is dependent upon which selection solenoid was energized or, in other words, the data entry. The degree of movement of the print cam is uniquely amplified and coupled to a print wheel, which is proportionately rotated so as to be oriented with the appropriate data character in the proper print position relative to the data card. A print hammer, also controlled by the dual purpose control cam by way of the print actuator, causes the print wheel to impact against the data card to imprint the data character thereon. 

1. A data recorder comprising, in combination: A. a data character entry keyboard; B. punch apparatus controlled from said keyboard to effect data character perforations in prescribed data storage locations on a data card; C. a tray accommodating the data card, said tray
 1. slidingly mounted for movement passed said punch apparatus to present various card data storage locations thereat; D. a spring connected to urge said tray in a card advance direction; E. tray stepping control apparatus including
 1. an escapement wheel drivingly connected to said tray, said escapement wheel having a. a detent associated with each card data storage location,
 2. escapement pawls normally operating at the conclusion of an entry cycle to selectively engage and disengage said escapement wheel detents, a. thereby permitting said escapement wheel to index in the card advance direction under the force of said spring thereby to step said tray and card thereon and present the next consecutive card data storage location at said punch apparatus,
 3. tab set means operable to establish a tab stop on said escapement wheel in physical association with a selected detent,
 4. tab actuating means operable from said keyboard to disengage said escapement pawls from said detents and thereby release said escapement wheel and said tray for advancement of the data card by said spring, said tab actuating means including a. a tab catch adapted to be engaged by said tab stop and causing at least one of said escapement pawls to engage said selected detent to halt the advancement of said tray and thereby present the card data storage location associated with said selected detent at said punch apparatus.
 2. escapement pawls normally operating at the conclusion of an entry cycle to selectively engage and disengage said escapement wheel detents, a. thereby permitting said escapement wheel to index in the card advance direction under the force of said spring thereby to step said tray and card thereon and present the next consecutive card data storage location at said punch apparatus,
 2. The data recorder defined in claim 1, which further includes A. a motor; and B. tray return apparatus drivingly connected to said motor and operatively controlled from said keyboard, said apparatus including
 2. whereby to limit the rotational velocity of said escapement wheel during tab operations.
 2. said tray stepping control apparatus further includes a pinion gear coupled to said escapement wheel and drivingly engaging said tray rack gear.
 2. a trip cam adapted to execute one complete revolution in response to each entry cycle initiated from said keyboard, a. said trip cam adapted to actuate said trip lever at the conclusion of each entry cycle to index said escapement wheel.
 2. said stop pawl being pivotally mounted and spring biased to normally engage one of said detents,
 2. said tab set means operating to shift the axial position of selected pins to establish said tab stops.
 3. said trip lever operates to first introduce said trip pawl into another of said detents and then pivot said stop pawl to disengage said one detent which escapes as said escapement wheel rotates thorugh a partial index step permitted by the loose connection between said trip pawl and lever, said trip lever then releases said stop pawl which engages the detent next to said one detent upon detent disengagement by said trip pawl under the control of said trip lever.
 3. The data recorder defined in claim 1, wherein said tray stepping control apparatus further includes
 3. tab set means operable to establish a tab stop on said escapement wheel in physical association with a selected detent,
 4. tab actuating means operable from said keyboard to disengage said escapement pawls from said detents and thereby release said escapement wheel and said tray for advancement of the data card by said spring, said tab actuating means including a. a tab catch adapted to be engaged by said tab stop and causing at least one of said escapement pawls to engage said selected detent to halt the advancement of said tray and thereby present the card data storage location associated with said selected detent at said punch apparatus.
 4. The data recorder defined in claim 2, wherein
 5. The data recorder defined in claim 1, wherein said tray stepping control apparatus further includes
 6. The data recorder defined in claim 5, wherein said escapement pawls consist of a trip pawl and a stop pawl,
 7. The data recorder defined in claim 6, wherein
 8. The data recorder defined in claim 7, wherein
 9. The data recorder defined in claim 8, wherein
 10. The data recorder defined in claim 1, wherein said tray stepping control apparatus further includes 